Monthly Archives: December 2015

There are only a couple of weeks left in 2015 and I can’t help but wonder: where did the last 350 odd days go? Did I do too much Orange Twisting or did somebody push the fast forward button? Then I remembered that there was simply so much going on in the Dutch and international meetings industry this year that time quite literally flew by. So why don’t you join me on a little trip down memory lane 2015 and let’s reminisce together!

I visited Frankfurt, London, Las Vegas and Barcelona

IMEX Frankfurt, the Meetings Show UK in London, IMEX America in Las Vegas and IBTM World in Barcelona are regulars in my annual agenda. Yet these trade shows never seize to amaze me. The people I met, the Dreaming of Holland we did, the Happy Hours we celebrated and the Orange Twists we danced together made for some wonderful memories!

IMEX Frankfurt – Team Holland

IMEX Frankfurt – Fun times at the Holland stand

The Meetings Show UK – Team Holland

The Meetings Show UK – ‘say Dutch cheese!’

The Meetings Show UK – selfie time

IMEX America – Team Holland

IMEX America – IMEX run with Team Holland

IMEX America – doing the Orange Twist

IBTM World – Team Holland

IBTM World – Postillion Holland Happy Hour

IBTM World – Orange Twist

Holland celebrated King’s Day

2015 marked the first year that Holland celebrated King’s Day on a very special day: the King’s birthday! After celebrating Queen’s Day on April 30 for the last 123 years, King’s Day, also known as Holland’s biggest party, will now be celebrated on April 27.

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima at King’s Day

Le Tour de France grand départ in Utrecht

Holland hosted the grand départ of Le Tour de France for the sixth time in 2015; a record! This year Utrecht was elected to host the event. It was a celebration that lasted 100 days with a variety of smaller events leading up to the big event in the city.

And since Holland is the #1 bicycle country in the world it’s almost needless to say that Holland was head over (w)heels to be part of the world’s largest cycling event once again!

Tour de France Utrecht – cathedral

Tour de France Utrecht – miffy

Tour de France Utrecht – bird’s eye view

Launch of the Holland Site Selector

Finding the perfect location and suppliers for your business event can be a time- consuming endeavour. To help you out we developed an easy-to-use tool in 2015 that will send a tailor-made advice to your inbox in 4 easy steps: The Holland Site Selector!

Holland Site Selector

Have you tried it yet? If not, you should give it a try to see how easy and quick it is. I can promise you that you’ll get some valuable advice for your next meeting.

We did the Orange Twist together

I can still feel my feet from all the Orange Twisting we did at IMEX America and IBTM World this year. No one can deny that we twisted the floors in Las Vegas and Barcelona. And we’re not done yet! Are you ready for some more Orange Twisting at IMEX Frankfurt and the Meetings Show UK in 2016? Here’s my official Orange Twist video to help you practice (and to get you dreaming about Holland!):

Rotterdam was European City of 2015 & on Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel List 2016

Holland has so many exciting cities, but in 2015 one city in particular took the spotlight on the international stage: Rotterdam! First Rotterdam was awarded ‘European city of 2015’ – here you can find out why.

And just recently, Rotterdam has been named one of the top cities to visit in 2016 by Lonely Planet. Very exciting news for the youngest and most modern of Holland’s main cities!

Veerhhaven Rotterdam – Lonely Planet Best in Travel 2016

New hotel & venue openings in Holland in 2015

Last but certainly not least, a great number of new hotels and venues opened in Holland in 2015. Here’s an overview for you. Have you visited any of them yet?

Feel free to contact Mr. Holland:

Your personal Holland Host | Netherlands Board of Tourism & Conventions (NBTC) | I’m here to help with all your questions about planning your meeting in Holland.
In Holland we like to do things just a little differently. We like to inspire. Refresh perspectives. To step off the beaten track. That’s why Holland is an ideal country for business events.
Holland may be small in size, but that also makes it a very compact country, offering more possibilities per square kilometre than you can find anywhere else in the world!
Please don’t hesitate to contact me with all your questions. My friends and colleagues of the Netherlands Board of Tourism and Conventions will help you to get the information you need. We will add some orange to your business events.